The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) returned to Naval Station Mayport after a three-month deployment to the European theater of operations, April 18. This surge deployment follows a 2021 deployment with the Royal Navy’s HMS Queen Elizabeth Strike Group (CSG-21), from which The Sullivans returned dwelling simply earlier than Thanksgiving. The Sullivans was in sustainment when it departed Naval Station Mayport in January 2022. Ships within the sustainment section of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan stay prepared for contingency tasking earlier than coming into a upkeep section.
“Regardless of the dynamic schedule and demanding operational tasking, The Sullivans crew displayed resiliency, grit and decided self-sufficiency to perform all missions. Whereas we take time to get well and spend effectively deserved time at dwelling, we’re focusing our efforts on making certain The Sullivans can proceed to function at peak efficiency for years to come back. Our fast mission is the skilled execution of our upkeep availability and continued coaching to organize the ship and crew for future tasking. I do know this crew will probably be prepared for no matter comes subsequent – We Stick Collectively!,” stated Cmdr. James Diefenderfer, Jr., commanding officer of The Sullivans.
Commercial
The crew navigated over 20,000 nautical miles, working within the Irish, North and Baltic Seas, and performed 12 sea and anchor particulars, 11 underway replenishments, and port visits to Copenhagen, Denmark; Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Ponta Delgada, Portugal; and Rota, Spain. Whereas deployed, The Sullivans participated in NATO Train Dynamic Guard 2022 within the North Sea. Dynamic Guard, hosted by Norway, is a biannual, multinational digital warfare train sequence designed to supply tactical coaching for the NATO Response Drive and NATO nationwide models. For the primary time in three years, two U.S. vessels participated to additional improve the continuing cooperation, energy and interoperability between NATO Allies.
The Sullivans continued operations with three NATO nations inside Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 1, which was comprised of the German Navy Kind 702 Berlin-class replenishment ship FGS Berlin (A1411), the Royal Netherlands Navy Karel Doorman-class multi-purpose frigate HNLMS Van Amstel (F831) and the Royal Danish Navy Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate HDMS Peter Willemoes (F362). Throughout the ship’s 2021 deployment, the crew operated with the Royal Danish Navy Absalon-class frigate HDMS Esbern Snare (F342) within the U.S. sixth Fleet space of operations. Virtually a 12 months later, Esbern Snare escorted The Sullivans via the Danish Strait, demonstrating skilled seamanship, navigation and cooperation via one of many busiest waterways on this planet.
